Milady in Love
A small pile of letters was waiting Lord Erik's return from London on the silver tray in the entrance.
Drake immediately handed the letters to Erik while her ladyship went upstairs to change her dress. Erik accepted the correspondence and shut himself in his study.
The three weeks away had done him a world of good. His relationship with his wife seemed to have improved considerably during their time in London. He and Christine had talked during much of the journey and several times Christine fell asleep with her head on his shoulder and her hand clutching his lapel. He smiled as he recalled those moments together. They were just like an old married couple.
Erik immediately broke the seal of a letter from an unknown hand. He sucked in his breath when he saw Ashlyn's man of business' name at the bottom of the page. It seemed his wife had agreed to pay the Walters eleven thousand pounds. He could not begin to imagine the reason behind such a large amount of money.
The next letter he opened cast more light onto the situation. Thank heavens he had such a loyal friend in Ashlyn Walter. The man signed a contract to buy a house in town while Erik's wife promised to pay for it out of his money.
He wanted to shake her and demand to know why she did not write to him and ask his permission. He would have gladly paid for anything she asked for. Was it not his own fault in a way? He had told her that she was to buy anything she needed and send him the bill! Hell, she had purchased enough furniture recently that he would be paying her bills for a while. He assumed he did not need to specify he was referring to clothing or other necessities.
He rose and tugged the bell pull. A moment later, Drake appeared in the doorway and was given instructions to send Lady Erik to join him at her earliest convenience.
Christine nervously brushed her skirts as she descended the stairs. Five minutes ago a maid had delivered a message to her in her bedchamber. When she asked the maid whether Drake indicated if his lordship was angry, the girl shrugged. Christine sighed; she was going into the room unprepared.
"Close the door," Erik ordered softly as Christine entered the room.
She drew a deep breath and crossed to the seat opposite Erik's desk. After taking a minute to smooth her dress and calm her shaking hands, she looked up, waiting an explanation.
"I have received a letter from Ashlyn Walter's man of business. He said you owe the Walters eleven thousand pounds. You and Mrs Walter bought a house during your time in London." Erik paused as he waited for Christine to comment. "Did you not think that I might like to know you were spending such a large amount of money?"
Still Christine refused to respond. She could imagine his temper flaring and him reaching across the desk to wrap around her throat in the same way he had done to Raoul. She touched her throat nervously.
As if sensing her anxiety, Erik moved to pour her a glass of brandy which she accepted and nervously sipped. Erik crouched down beside her chair and touched her face.
"I am not angry. I wish you had written to me; but that cannot be undone now. A husband must pay his wife's bills; if your bills are houses and teachers and not dresses then so be it."
Christine smiled at his comment. He truly was not angry that she had bought a house – a house – behind his back. She gripped the hand that was still caressing her face.
"I had to do it, Erik! There are so many orphaned children now because of the war. They needed somewhere to stay. The building that we had was completely inappropriate!"
Erik placed a finger over her lips to silence her ramblings. "These children do not realise how fortunate they are that they have you."
Tears glistened in Christine's eyes. Had he ever paid her a more handsome compliment? "Thank you for being so understanding."
Erik nodded as he straightened. "I do have one condition before you go, Christine. Next time you feel the urge to purchase a house or carriage – anything larger than a wardrobe – speak to me. If I do not agree immediately, I have no doubt that you will be able to talk me around."
Christine laughed and gave her word.
Christine had little more than a week to organise the fete that Erik had asked her to return to Cornwall to organise. She had to laugh at the way her marriage seemed to work. In the first month, Erik hid himself away and was always working. Now, she was hiding away in her personal study trying to organise the fete for the tenants in a week.
She spent much of her time with the housekeeper discussing the events and amusements that had previously been held. Thus far, she had horse jumping competitions, races, archery and games for the children. She had briefly considered having a cockfight to amuse the gentlemen, but quickly dismissed the idea. Christine had never been more thankful to have Mrs Carson on her side, assisting her in the planning of the fete.
If she was not with Mrs Carson, Erik was dragging her to some spot or another over the estate. He arranged picnics by the river, tea and drawing lessons out in the garden, and rides over the estate. After dinner they would often sit at the pianoforte to play and sing together until well into the night. She smiled as she thought of how attentive he was. After dinner he would walk her up to her rooms, offer her his wonderfully supportive and comforting embrace and retire to his own rooms.
This was the man she fell in love with. She was falling deeply in love with her husband.
The night before the fete, Christine was in the study yet again going over the menu with Mrs Carson.
"Is that suitable?" Christine asked when the housekeeper did not comment on the menu.
"My lady, this food is not suitable for… tenants. Simple foods that can be eaten with the fingers are generally preferred."
Christine felt like a veritable idiot. How could she have overlooked something so simple?
"Bread, cheese and meats are typically best," Mrs Carson continued gently. "Do not worry about the original menu, Lady Erik. It is your first time organising a fete; next year, you will sail through. Looking at everything you have planned I do not doubt but that it will be a success."
Christine nodded as she accepted the woman's reassurance. She pulled out a list of things that needed to be done before the neighbours and tenants arrived tomorrow afternoon.
"There is so much to be done for tomorrow!" Christine cried, despair beginning to overwhelm her. She could not throw a fete for the entire seat. She had never even organised a dinner party! "Tables to fix, barrels of ale to be moved, the jumps and the targets to be arranged! It is too much!"
Christine buried her face in her hands as she broke down. She mumbled behind her hands and Mrs Carson was only able to pick up a few words. Test. Prove. Erik. Suitable.
The housekeeper put a motherly arm around the girl. "There, there, milady. Everything will work out just fine. You have a large staff here, and we are all willing to help in any way to make sure your fete tomorrow goes off without a hitch."
Christine sniffed at the calming words. She dried her eyes and faced Mrs Carson. "Do not tell, Lord Erik about what happened in here. I do not want him knowing I am a mess."
Mrs Carson nodded and quit the room with the revised menu.
A few minutes later, Erik entered to find Christine staring at the lists on her desk. She glanced up at him as he entered, smiled and returned her attention to the papers. In that brief glance, Erik saw all he needed to. His wife was stressed and completely out of her depth in organising this damn fete he had allowed his damn butler to convince him to hold.
Erik sat in the chair opposite her desk and waited for her to put her pen down before he began to speak. She continued to ignore him. He reached across her desk and pushed everything she was working onto the floor.
"Erik!" she gasped in outrage. She could feel the tears forming again. She rose and began to pick up the papers in an attempt to hide the tears that were falling down her cheeks.
"Darling, you are working too hard. It does not matter if the fete is not perfect." Erik squatted in front of her and tilted her face up to his.
"Yes it does!" she cried as she pushed away from his touch and stared out the window. She wiped fiercely at the tears.
"Why?"
"Because! Because I need to prove to you that I am a suitable wife; that you may not find me attractive but I am more than capable of acting as a proper hostess. I know you did not wish this marriage, but I can make you a good wife!"
Erik laughed mirthlessly at her belief that he did not find her attractive. He could not stand being in the same room and not touching her in some small way.
"Christine, I have no doubt in your ability to act as my hostess." He wrapped his arms around her waist and tugged her back against his body. "It is late; come upstairs and we will go to bed. You may wake up early to oversee the preparations."
"But, Erik."
"It will still be there when you wake. Come."
Erik held out his hand for her to take. With an angry pout, Christine wrapped her fingers around his and allowed him to lead her upstairs. In her chamber, Erik handed Christine over to the care of her maid.
When Christine emerged from the dressing room a few minutes later, she gasped when she saw Erik sitting in her chair perusing the list from the bedside table. He glanced up when he heard her enter the room.
It was not surprising she was so anxious about the fete tomorrow. Her lists were immense. She had lists of guests – ranked according to their status – lists of food and events and a list of things to be done in the morning.
"What are you doing here still?" Christine asked her husband as she shooed Quintin away.
Erik carefully set the paper down where he found it before answering. "I wanted to make sure you were feeling well."
Christine frowned at him. "Did Mrs Carson say something to you?"
Erik shook his head. "I am your husband, Christine; is it not my duty to know when you are upset?"
Christine shrugged. She did not know how to respond.
They stood in silence, both willing the other to make the first move. Erik gazed into Christine's eyes and saw worry, insecurity and need shining in the depths. He should go to her and offer her the comfort she needed.
"Good night, my lady."
"Good night, Erik."
As she spoke, Erik watched Christine's lips move. He loved the way they formed his name and the way it sounded when she said it. Without knowing what possessed him, he was across the room and placing a light kiss on her lips.
Christine pulled her lips from his with a sob. "I hope that was not out of pity."
"How could I kiss you with anything other than passion? Do you really think that I do not find you beautiful?" Erik asked as he tilted her head back so he could look into her eyes. "I have waited for so long to make you my wife."
"Do you really mean that?"
He placed another kiss on her lips. "You do not know me if you think I would lie to you, Christine. You are a beautiful woman and any man who cannot see it is an idiot."
"He would be blind," Christine corrected – some of her old humour resurfacing.
Erik chuckled and pulled her into his arms and kissed her passionately. His hands found the ties of her nightgown and he tugged them open. Before his hands could slip inside the fabric, he pulled away.
"Tell me now if you want me to stop, Christine. I may not be able to stop if you wait any longer."
She ran a hand down his mask, relishing in the smooth feeling of the leather. "I don't want you to stop. I want to be your wife."
Erik growled and pulled her back against his body as he resumed kissing her.
Christine was not as stressed the following morning as she imagined she would be. Erik remained close to her the entire morning to keep her calm and to offer his assistance at any moment. It was his presence by her side that kept Christine calm.
"I did not think we would get it finished," Christine commented as she surveyed the grounds. Everything was in its place and perfectly arranged. It really was not a bad effort for her first attempt at entertaining.
Erik smiled at her before he wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her to his side. "I knew you could do it."
He gave her a slow kiss. Since he had tasted her lips last night it could not get enough of them. Christine collapsed against his side for a moment, drawing on his energy before she gently pushed away from him with a playful frown.
"We have just enough time to change before the guests begin to arrive."
"I can think of something we could do in that time."
Christine blushed bright pink as the meaning of Erik's words sunk in. With an outraged laugh, she ran up the terrace steps to their rooms. Erik was close behind her.
Christine spent much of the fete at Erik's side as they wandered amongst their tenants and neighbours. Erik was quick to make use of any opportunity that allowed him to place a kiss on any part of his wife's face or hands.
At one stage during the afternoon, he had even arranged a small plate of food for Christine and insisted on feeding her. He could not take his eyes off her lips. As he spoke to Mr and Mrs Watson, he found his mind wandering imagining how he would seduce his wife tonight.
The Heatons were watching the children jump their horses with many of the parents. Christine leaned comfortably into her husband's chest, a blush lighting her face when she felt his hands rest on her hips. As a little girl of about five went sailing over one of the highest jumps, Christine gasped and hid her face in his coat. The memories of Dru's injury were too fresh in her mind.
"Tell me when I can look, Erik."
Erik's hands tightened around her waist as he held her in place. He waited for the girl to be helped off the horse before he told Christine it was safe to look.
"Are you sure?"
Erik laughed and dropped a kiss on her cheek. "Yes, Christine. It's safe."
He placed another kiss on her upturned lips, earning applause and cheers from the surrounding tenants. Christine blushed and hid her face in Erik's coat in a moment of mortification before reluctantly stepping away from him.
"Your lordship, I didn't see you there. I did not mean any disrespect, sir."
Erik and Christine swung around to face one of his neighbours. He sent her a weak smile. "Good afternoon, Mrs Greene. You must be waiting for Billy."
Christine smiled, pleased that Erik knew his tenants so well.
"Yes, Lord Erik." Mrs Greene's eyes were fixed on Erik's cravat. She was not the only tenant who spoke to Erik's neckcloth. "Billy is such a fine jumper; my husband always says that he could ride before he could walk. Hopefully his younger brother will be just as good when he is old enough to ride," she said, indicating the bundle she held in her arms.
"A baby? How old is he?" Christine asked, her eyes lighting in the way only a clucky woman could.
"Only two months, my lady. Would you like to hold him?" she asked noting with interest that Lady Erik seemed to be trying to prevent herself from touching the baby.
Christine smiled so brilliantly at the woman that Erik wanted to throttle her for being the one to make his wife smile so brightly. That was his job!
Mrs Greene passed the baby boy into Christine's arms. She could not help but smile as she watched Lady Erik coo and cluck over her son. Christine ran a finger down his little face and smiled as he turned his mouth to her finger.
Christine sighed. It felt so wonderful to have a baby resting in her arms – even if it wasn't hers. She had been married three months and she was far from expecting her first child. If her mama knew she would not be pleased. When the time was right she and Erik would have their baby. Christine sighed again in contentment.
Erik too was enjoying watching his wife hold the baby. He could easily imagine Christine and his child. She seemed to have such a natural ability. She would make a wonderful mother. For the first time in his life, Erik wished that he had a child. It was possible, he reminded himself. He had the wife he never imagined he would; perhaps a son was not impossible.
